Flotilla, Italians detained in Libya: ‘Treated like illegal immigrants’

In addition to seizure, the magistrates are also considering torture and sexual violence. And in the investigation delegation entrusted to the Ros carabinieri, in addition to the hearing of the activists, the acquisition of any images from the devices that may be useful to the investigation is also envisaged. At Piazzale Clodio other files are already open on the Flotilla’s previous missions. The last one was opened after the complaints arrived following the boarding by the Israeli authorities against the boats that left on 26 April from Sicily and stopped on the night of 29 April in international waters near the island of Crete.

Another case had been opened after Italian activists and parliamentarians who were on board the Global Sumud Flotilla vessels last October were detained near the Gaza coast by Israeli forces and then repatriated. In this context, the magistrates in recent weeks asked for a rogatory to be sent to Israel.

Idf rejects allegations of abuse of Flotilla activists

Meanwhile, the IDF rejects allegations that soldiers abused Flotilla activists “during operations to protect the legally established naval security blockade”. “The orders of the IDF provide for respectful and appropriate treatment of flotilla members on board intercepted vessels, there are clear and established procedures. We are not aware of any specific incidents of violation of these binding procedures within the IDF. Any concrete complaints will be fully investigated’. This was stated by the Idf spokesperson’s unit, explaining that at the port of Ashdod, the activists were guarded by Prison Service personnel and police.

Nurse Giuseppina Branca has returned home

Giuseppina Branca, the 79-year-old nurse from Cannero (Verbano-Cusio-Ossola) who is on the Gaza-bound ground convoy through North Africa, returned home on Sunday. Some friends told Ansa: ‘Giugi came back yesterday, thank goodness’, adding: ‘We hope the ten arrested in Libya will be released’. Branca, a volunteer in the Gaza Land Flotilla, ‘had been stuck for days near Sirte, Libya’, they recall. “Welcome home!” Announcing her return between Saturday and Sunday had been her husband. “She has already been in the Negev prison last autumn,” he had explained, “she cannot return to Israel. The situation was expected, she is an expert and that is why organisations call her on these missions’. According to the man, at the end of the negotiations, one delegation – “a bus with doctors and nurses carrying medicine and food” – had been allowed to cross the border between the Tripoli government area and the area controlled by Haftar’s militias, to continue towards Gaza. “The others, who were also carrying materials for mobile homes and prefabricated constructions, must return to Tripoli,” he concluded.

Cardinal Zuppi: “I thank those who demonstrate against wars even at the cost of violence”

“Let our communities be homes of peace and non-violence”, “let us also take advantage of summer activities to promote peace education. I thank all the parents, priests, educators, trainers who reserve energy to grow a true culture of peace that welcomes and shares’, ‘not fear, but trust is the fertile ground. And I thank those who, even paying in person with blackmail, abuse and violence, show concrete solidarity in the enormous suffering of peoples affected by violence and wars’. So says the president of the Cei, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, opening the work of the General Assembly.